9 Days in Marrakech: Day Trips, Desert & Ocean
Nine days with only two nights away from your riad: the medina, the mountains, the waterfalls, the stone desert of Agafay and the Atlantic port of Essaouira.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this 9 days in Marrakech
These 9 days in Marrakech keep you in one riad, with only two nights away. Every day brings a new trip into the mountains, the desert or the ocean.
First, a guided visit takes you through the palaces and souks of the medina. Then you hike in the valleys around Imlil and lunch in a Berber home. After that, you fly in a balloon at sunrise and cycle through the palm grove. Next, you visit the Ouzoud waterfalls and sleep in a camp in the Agafay desert. Finally, a night in Essaouira and a cooking class end the trip. In short, our 9 days in Marrakech are private and run on your dates.
Highlights of this 9 days in Marrakech
- Guided Marrakech medina
- High Atlas day hike
- Hot air balloon
- Palm grove bike ride
- Ouzoud waterfalls
- Quad, camels & a night in Agafay
- Night in Essaouira
- Cooking class
9 days in Marrakech: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival & Jemaa el-Fna
Settle into your riad and walk to the square in the evening for the food stalls and musicians.
- 2dayDay 2
The medina with a guide
The Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia, the Ben Youssef madrasa and the craft souks.
- 3dayDay 3
High Atlas day hike
A walk in the valleys around Imlil and lunch in a Berber home.
- 4dayDay 4
Balloon & palm grove by bike
A hot air balloon at sunrise, then a guided bike ride through the palm grove.
- 5dayDay 5
Ouzoud waterfalls
A day trip to the highest waterfalls in Morocco, with a walk down to the pools.
- 6dayDay 6
Agafay desert
A quad and camel ride in the stone desert, sunset over the Atlas and a night in a desert camp.
- 7dayDay 7
To Essaouira
Drive to the coast with a stop at an argan cooperative, and walk the ramparts at sunset.
- 8dayDay 8
Ocean morning & back to Marrakech
A surf lesson or a horse ride on the beach, then back to your riad in Marrakech.
- 9dayDay 9
Cooking class & departure
Cook a tagine with a local cook, then the Majorelle Garden before you leave.
What’s included in this 9 days in Marrakech
Included
- 8 nights of accommodation as listed (riads, guesthouses and a desert camp)
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner and breakfast at the desert camp
- Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Pick-up in Marrakech and drop-off in Marrakech (hotel, riad, airport)
- Camel ride as described in the programme
- Local guide for the guided visits
- Surf lessons with board and wetsuit
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Optional activities (for example quad, buggy or balloon) unless listed
- Travel insurance
- Tips for drivers and guides
Draft based on this programme – our team confirms the exact list with your quote.
Where you stay
- Night 1Riad in Marrakech
- Night 2Riad in Marrakech
- Night 3Riad in Marrakech
- Night 4Riad in Marrakech
- Night 5Riad in Marrakech
- Night 6Desert camp in Agafay
- Night 7Riad in Essaouira
- Night 8Riad in Marrakech
Comfort level: Standard + – comfortable riads, guesthouses and a traditional desert camp, chosen by our team. Luxury camps and riads are possible on request.
Best time for this trip
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant. In summer we start the day trips early, and in winter the days are sunny but the balloon mornings and the camp night are cold.
- JanGood
- FebGood
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunPossible
- JulPossible
- AugPossible
- SepGood
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
What to bring for this trip
- Comfortable walking shoes for the medina and the hike
- Warm layer for the balloon and the Agafay night
- Swimsuit for the Ouzoud pools
- Shoes with grip for the waterfall paths
- Windproof jacket for Essaouira
- Scarf for dust on the quad ride
- Sun hat and sun cream
- Small overnight bag
- Refillable water bottle
Booking & payment
- How to book
- Send your request; we confirm the programme and the price in writing on WhatsApp or by email.
- Payment
- A deposit secures your booking and the balance is paid on arrival.
- Cancellation
- Our cancellation conditions are sent with your quote, before you pay anything.
- Weather & changes
- If the weather stops an activity, we adapt the day or replace the activity.
9 Days in Marrakech: your questions
Is 9 days in Marrakech too long?
Not with day trips. The mountains, the waterfalls, the Agafay desert and the ocean are all close, and you spend only two nights away from your riad.
Can we change the day trips during 9 days in Marrakech?
Yes – the Ourika Valley, a zipline, a hammam or a quad ride in the palm grove can replace any day.
Which days have the longest drives?
Ouzoud and Essaouira, at about 2.5 to 3 hours each way. The Atlas and Agafay are 45 minutes to 1.5 hours away.
What is the best time for 9 days in Marrakech?
Spring and autumn. In summer we start the trips early, and in winter the days are sunny but the balloon mornings are cold.
Do we keep our room in Marrakech while away?
We can keep your riad room booked for the two nights away, or store your luggage so you only carry a small bag.
What our travellers say
A holistic experience
Booking a trip with Moroccan active adventures gave us the most memorable new years celebration of our lived. Our guide Mouhssin was especially talented at turning down deserted mountain/desert roads and finding beautiful riads…
Activities on this trip
Read more about each experience – what to expect, who it is for and what to bring.
Quad & buggy ridesDay 6 – Agafay desertDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 6 – Agafay desertDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 6 – Agafay desertDetails →
Hot air balloon rideDay 4 – Balloon & palm grove by bikeDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 4 – Balloon & palm grove by bikeDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 1 – Arrival & Jemaa el-FnaDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 9-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.
Optional · extraSurf & kitesurf experienceSurf lesson on the AtlanticSee the activity →Optional · extraKite surfing lift-offKitesurf lesson in windy EssaouiraSee the activity →
Optional · extraKayaking through the riversKayak on the lake of Bin el OuidaneSee the activity →Optional · extraResponsible eco travelStay with a local familySee the activity →
Optional · extraAuthentic culinary experiencesCooking class or food walk in the medinaSee the activity →Optional · extraWellness and relaxationTraditional hammam and spa timeSee the activity →Request this 9-day trip
Fill in the form and press send: your request comes straight to our team’s inbox (or WhatsApp, if you prefer) and we reply with the full programme and a clear price.
- No payment to send a request
- Private tour on your dates
- Or write to us: +212 600 643 098
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